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One Giant Leap
A playful wordless story about the power of imagination and creativity in play
A child zips up their orange suit, pulls on a pair of boots, and adjusts their hat. They’re ready for an adventure. But where are they going? With the push of an elevator button, their adventure begins, and they’re transformed … into an astronaut! The child takes one small step into a barren landscape. Then one giant leap. Soon, they’re hopping around a strange new planet and scaling space mountains. But they’ve got an important mission—finding their lost spaceship! In their search, the astronaut discovers colorful space creatures of all shapes and sizes. Suddenly, a blizzard hits, and the astronaut races through the storm right into … the school hallway! The little astronaut was a child on their way to school, and the space odyssey was all part of their imagination. This inventive and satisfying new wordless picture book from acclaimed author and illustrator Thao Lam celebrates a child’s talent for making the mundane magical. Thao’s signature storytelling style is dynamic, engaging, and rewards close observation. Keen-eyed readers will spot clues in the illustrations that reveal what’s really going on and feel inspired to creatively reframe tiresome tasks.
A child zips up their orange suit, pulls on a pair of boots, and adjusts their hat. They’re ready for an adventure. But where are they going? With the push of an elevator button, their adventure begins, and they’re transformed … into an astronaut! The child takes one small step into a barren landscape. Then one giant leap. Soon, they’re hopping around a strange new planet and scaling space mountains. But they’ve got an important mission—finding their lost spaceship! In their search, the astronaut discovers colorful space creatures of all shapes and sizes. Suddenly, a blizzard hits, and the astronaut races through the storm right into … the school hallway! The little astronaut was a child on their way to school, and the space odyssey was all part of their imagination. This inventive and satisfying new wordless picture book from acclaimed author and illustrator Thao Lam celebrates a child’s talent for making the mundane magical. Thao’s signature storytelling style is dynamic, engaging, and rewards close observation. Keen-eyed readers will spot clues in the illustrations that reveal what’s really going on and feel inspired to creatively reframe tiresome tasks.
48 pages, Hardcover
First published February 27, 2024
76 people want to read
About the author
Thao Lam
12 books30 followersThao Lam has been creating pictures for as long as she can remember. For her, drawing has always felt as natural as breathing. She has an insatiable love for coloured and textured papers, which she uses to create her exuberant collages.
Passionate about children’s books, Thao is especially interested in visual storytelling. She draws inspiration from the stories she hears, from the beauty in everyday things, and from the work of the many illustrators she admires. As an art buyer for an educational publishing company, she has the opportunity to work with thousands of different artists from all around the world.
Since studying illustration for three years at Sheridan College in Toronto, Thao has developed her dual careers of illustrating and art buying. Her art works have appeared in publications such as Cricket and Highlight magazines. In 2008, she won the Highlights Five Pewter Plate award for verse illustration of the year. She has twice been chosen for the American Illustration Awards.
Passionate about children’s books, Thao is especially interested in visual storytelling. She draws inspiration from the stories she hears, from the beauty in everyday things, and from the work of the many illustrators she admires. As an art buyer for an educational publishing company, she has the opportunity to work with thousands of different artists from all around the world.
Since studying illustration for three years at Sheridan College in Toronto, Thao has developed her dual careers of illustrating and art buying. Her art works have appeared in publications such as Cricket and Highlight magazines. In 2008, she won the Highlights Five Pewter Plate award for verse illustration of the year. She has twice been chosen for the American Illustration Awards.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
April 8, 2024
Lovely wordless picture book about a kid rocketing off to the moon and doing a lot of jumping around, then encountering some of the locals and saying hello. And at the end there is a nice little reveal.
The art looks like a collage, and retains those nice textures in the imagery.
Just really nice.
(Picked up a review copy through Edelweiss)
December 13, 2023
"One Giant Leap" was such a surprising picture book to flip through! It's a picture book made up of entirely cut-paper collage and illustrations with zero words as it follows a little boy who, on his way to school, pretends to be an astronaut in space!
It's such a cool book to flip through because it helps to activate a person's ability to imagine and play pretend.
This is a fantastic book to flip through with your kiddos and to create engagement and improve their storytelling abilities by sparking their imagination.
It's such a cool book to flip through because it helps to activate a person's ability to imagine and play pretend.
This is a fantastic book to flip through with your kiddos and to create engagement and improve their storytelling abilities by sparking their imagination.
April 1, 2024
A young astronaut suits up and heads outside for some fun on a lunar landscape. But what happens when they run into strange creatures? And can the reader figure out what is really going on?
Thao Lam writes a delightful story about a day of imagination taking flight and transporting kids (and readers) to other worlds. There are absolutely no words, but the final page spreads provide clues in the illustrations as to the inspiration for certain things our intrepid explorer saw during the day that sparked their imagination to go where it went. Hand this to imaginative readers or kids who say that playing outside is “boring”. Where can their imagination take them?
I received an ARC of this title from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Thao Lam writes a delightful story about a day of imagination taking flight and transporting kids (and readers) to other worlds. There are absolutely no words, but the final page spreads provide clues in the illustrations as to the inspiration for certain things our intrepid explorer saw during the day that sparked their imagination to go where it went. Hand this to imaginative readers or kids who say that playing outside is “boring”. Where can their imagination take them?
I received an ARC of this title from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
July 23, 2024
‘One Giant Leap’ by Thao Lam is a picture book about a young explorer and a big imagination.
A child goes out to play, first buttoning their coat, then entering the elevator in their building. When they step out, it’s as an astronaut on the moon’s surface. What they encounter on the moon’s surface is a surprise!
Told in a wordless book, the story works well and the art is really great/ Young explorers should really like this one.
A child goes out to play, first buttoning their coat, then entering the elevator in their building. When they step out, it’s as an astronaut on the moon’s surface. What they encounter on the moon’s surface is a surprise!
Told in a wordless book, the story works well and the art is really great/ Young explorers should really like this one.
March 11, 2024
This wordless picture book provides a window into a child's imagination as they make their way to school in the snow. I loved the cut-paper illustrations and the way they captured the mood. Very well done.
March 25, 2024
Utterly charming. What a cool style of illustration!
November 16, 2025
I found this book on the General Info and Awards for ChLit wakelet under the American Library Association Notable Children's Books website. One Giant Leap was published in 2024 and shortlisted for the 2024 Governor General's Literary Award. After researching the author, I found that Thao Lam has several other picture books that have received major honors. I was able to read this book on Epic.
One Giant Leap by Thao Lam is a completely wordless picture book. The book begins with a child putting on his coat, boots, and gloves. He steps into an elevator and when the doors open, he is an astronaut. As an astronaut, the child explores the area, the creatures there, and even faces a blizzard. The book ends with him opening the door to school, showing that the entire journey there was entirely imagined. The illustrations in the book are collage style paper cutouts, using bright colors to bring the story to life. The child's bright orange astronaut suit stands out against the gray. The pictures show movement and feeling, making the child's adventure easy to follow.
I believe this book would work for grades K-2. This book can be used to have students retell the events in order. Students can also make inferences about what the child is thinking or feeling based on the illustrations. Students can also use their own imagination to create their own adventures, like the child in the story, through drawing or writing.
One Giant Leap by Thao Lam is a completely wordless picture book. The book begins with a child putting on his coat, boots, and gloves. He steps into an elevator and when the doors open, he is an astronaut. As an astronaut, the child explores the area, the creatures there, and even faces a blizzard. The book ends with him opening the door to school, showing that the entire journey there was entirely imagined. The illustrations in the book are collage style paper cutouts, using bright colors to bring the story to life. The child's bright orange astronaut suit stands out against the gray. The pictures show movement and feeling, making the child's adventure easy to follow.
I believe this book would work for grades K-2. This book can be used to have students retell the events in order. Students can also make inferences about what the child is thinking or feeling based on the illustrations. Students can also use their own imagination to create their own adventures, like the child in the story, through drawing or writing.
March 15, 2024
I frickin' love cut paper illustrations
March 28, 2024
3/27/2024 Wordlessly witty. Full review tk at TheFrumiousConsortium.net.
3/28/2024 Is Thao Lam the most artistic children's book creator working today? With One Giant Leap, she certainly positions herself strongly for the title!
Wordlessly witty, this picture book tells the tale of a young astronaut venturing out into space and the adventures encountered thereof. There's a strange landscape to be explore, strange tracks to be followed and strange animals to befriend. Ultimately, there are strange aliens to run away from. Or are they? Our intrepid explorer's imagination runs riot, as we see in the denouement of this charming tale.
A large part of that charm comes from the astonishing attention to detail and texture present in the gorgeous collage art. I sat and stared at the opening pages for a good long while, admiring the almost tactile effect even on the flatness of my PC screen. I also loved the subtle incorporation of brocade, as a callback to our young protagonist's Asian heritage. It was a lovely cultural touch that felt very meaningful to me as someone who also has Southeast Asian roots.
The rest of the story details the power of the imagination, with textures galore to draw in the eye. As visually arresting as it is quietly clever, this is a stunning little picture book perfect for any child who loves fantasizing about going to outer space, as well as for anyone with a love of the visual arts.
One Giant Leap by Thao Lam was published February 27 2024 by Owlkids and is available from all good booksellers, including Bookshop!
3/28/2024 Is Thao Lam the most artistic children's book creator working today? With One Giant Leap, she certainly positions herself strongly for the title!
Wordlessly witty, this picture book tells the tale of a young astronaut venturing out into space and the adventures encountered thereof. There's a strange landscape to be explore, strange tracks to be followed and strange animals to befriend. Ultimately, there are strange aliens to run away from. Or are they? Our intrepid explorer's imagination runs riot, as we see in the denouement of this charming tale.
A large part of that charm comes from the astonishing attention to detail and texture present in the gorgeous collage art. I sat and stared at the opening pages for a good long while, admiring the almost tactile effect even on the flatness of my PC screen. I also loved the subtle incorporation of brocade, as a callback to our young protagonist's Asian heritage. It was a lovely cultural touch that felt very meaningful to me as someone who also has Southeast Asian roots.
The rest of the story details the power of the imagination, with textures galore to draw in the eye. As visually arresting as it is quietly clever, this is a stunning little picture book perfect for any child who loves fantasizing about going to outer space, as well as for anyone with a love of the visual arts.
One Giant Leap by Thao Lam was published February 27 2024 by Owlkids and is available from all good booksellers, including Bookshop!
February 1, 2024
Note: Review is based on an eARC through Edelweiss with formatting being a little wonky and each spread divided into thirds, making some parts of the story more difficult to interpret.
The collages done by Thao Lam (Wallpaper, Skunk on a String & more) are fantastic and the story of a young child dressing for cold weather and heading for school, imagining all the way to be an astronaut fantastic. Clearly the astronaut walks on the moon’s surface, leaving footprints, and meets up with others, but other aspects of the adventure are left ambiguous enough to let elementary age children decide for themselves what is going on in his/her imagination and what objects are being used in the real world to aid in the space travel play. Wonderful picture book to foster creative play and help develop vocabulary through conversation and exchange of ideas. A must have for toddler through grade 3 for a variety of uses. Gender of the astronaut is left vague but the child has an olive complexion. Children pulling off snow gear in the classroom (location is not definitive but there do seem to be clues to identify the place as school) have varied skin tones.
The collages done by Thao Lam (Wallpaper, Skunk on a String & more) are fantastic and the story of a young child dressing for cold weather and heading for school, imagining all the way to be an astronaut fantastic. Clearly the astronaut walks on the moon’s surface, leaving footprints, and meets up with others, but other aspects of the adventure are left ambiguous enough to let elementary age children decide for themselves what is going on in his/her imagination and what objects are being used in the real world to aid in the space travel play. Wonderful picture book to foster creative play and help develop vocabulary through conversation and exchange of ideas. A must have for toddler through grade 3 for a variety of uses. Gender of the astronaut is left vague but the child has an olive complexion. Children pulling off snow gear in the classroom (location is not definitive but there do seem to be clues to identify the place as school) have varied skin tones.
April 23, 2024
One Giant Leap is a picture book in a very literal sense: there are no words, only pictures. When my kids were little, I preferred books with words because I never felt like my words were interesting enough, and once they were old enough to make up their own stories, they still tended toward books with words in them.
However, as an adult, I love wordless picture books because I can pore over the artwork and enjoy the suggestion of a story. (Much less pressure.)
And Lam's paper collage illustrations are so much fun to look at—great color combinations and lots of texture details to enjoy. I loved the little hints at the everyday objects that sparked the explorer's imagination during their "space" adventure. I also loved that you could see how the illustrations were constructed in a few spots, little layered areas, slightly different thicknesses.
This is a very cute book that I'd recommend to folks who: enjoy reading wordless books to kids, enjoy making up stories using pictures as prompts, enjoy looking at adorable cut-paper collages. I'd like to check out more of Lam's work, especially if it's illustrated the same way.
However, as an adult, I love wordless picture books because I can pore over the artwork and enjoy the suggestion of a story. (Much less pressure.)
And Lam's paper collage illustrations are so much fun to look at—great color combinations and lots of texture details to enjoy. I loved the little hints at the everyday objects that sparked the explorer's imagination during their "space" adventure. I also loved that you could see how the illustrations were constructed in a few spots, little layered areas, slightly different thicknesses.
This is a very cute book that I'd recommend to folks who: enjoy reading wordless books to kids, enjoy making up stories using pictures as prompts, enjoy looking at adorable cut-paper collages. I'd like to check out more of Lam's work, especially if it's illustrated the same way.
December 28, 2024
Made up entirely of the most gorgeous cut-paper illustrations, they alone made me want to do nothing but play with paper and patterns and design for hours. Even though I have no talent for it.
A beautiful and fun adventure.
A beautiful and fun adventure.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 12, 2023
*Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for providing an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review*
This is a great picture book about the power of imagination. A child suits up and presses an elevator button to find themselves transported to another planet! As they jump around and explore, you'll some familiar and not so familiar sights. The art style was great, it's done in like a paper craft cutout style, that really adds to the sense of imagination and creating a setting that is going on. It's also wordless, perfect for little young readers make up their own stories alongside the illustrations.
This is a great picture book about the power of imagination. A child suits up and presses an elevator button to find themselves transported to another planet! As they jump around and explore, you'll some familiar and not so familiar sights. The art style was great, it's done in like a paper craft cutout style, that really adds to the sense of imagination and creating a setting that is going on. It's also wordless, perfect for little young readers make up their own stories alongside the illustrations.
October 23, 2023
This wordless picture book has bold paper-cut illustrations, showing an astronaut heading off to space. Some things in the illustrations closely relate to outer space, while others are more fanciful, and the ending shows that the whole story was from kids make-believe playing in the snow. This is really cute, and the illustrations combine imaginative elements and real-world structures in really cute, creative ways. This will appeal to kids and adults who like wordless picture books about children's imagination.
I received a temporary digital copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received a temporary digital copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
February 1, 2024
I am a huge fan of wordless picture books, so when this popped in NetGalley, I just HAD to read it. I am so glad I did! There was so much to love about this book's colors, the cutout shapes, the textures, and all of the details in the illustrations. I flipped back and forth in the book once I noticed details on other pages and had many aha moments. I am a school librarian and have always loved "reading" wordless picture books with the students. I call on a few kids to share their version of the story, and I am always blown away by what they come up with and notice that I didn't. I cannot wait to add this to our library collection!
June 7, 2024
This is a wordless picture book that tells an amazing story. Someone wants to be an astronaut and play dress up. They go on fantastic adventures in space where they find new birds, meet new monsters, and discover space. A child’s imagination is a wonderful thing to see, and that is what this book points out. The artwork is done through scrapbooking and paper manipulation and it’s beautiful. It has that feel of “hey, maybe I could do this”. “Maybe I could be an astronaut” but also “maybe I could be the artist”. Took no words to get the point across. This is what wordless picture books should be.
March 24, 2024
As a child puts on his snowsuit and gloves he imagines dressing as an astronaut to explore the moon. In the world of his imagination we see him explore this conjured environment and interact with other creatures there. Then the snow begins and the perspective slowly shifts back to a recess setting at a school playground. This is a lovely and creative wordless picture book. Very artfully made.
Thank you to OwlKids Publishing and NetGalley for the chance to read a pre-release digital copy of this work.
Thank you to OwlKids Publishing and NetGalley for the chance to read a pre-release digital copy of this work.
May 24, 2024
Being a wordless picture book always excites me because when done well, it's a captivating experience that leads readers on an adventure with action and emotion pulled together with amazing illustrations.
Lam's book does just that-- the magic of being transformed into anything you want to be when you put on a suit-- is it an astronaut suit or is it a snowsuit? Did the kid encounter a crater on another planet? Does an elevator transport someone to another universe? All neat questions to explore in the book.
Lam's book does just that-- the magic of being transformed into anything you want to be when you put on a suit-- is it an astronaut suit or is it a snowsuit? Did the kid encounter a crater on another planet? Does an elevator transport someone to another universe? All neat questions to explore in the book.
January 15, 2024
Wordless Picture Book
I received an electronic ARC from Owlkids Books through NetGalley.
Readers make the journey to school along with this young boy who pretends to be an astronaut exploring in space. The papercut illustrations pull you in to be part of the trip. I appreciate Lam's encouragement for readers to use their own imagination as they see this child use his. A terrific family read to encourage younger readers to study the pictures and tell the story.
I received an electronic ARC from Owlkids Books through NetGalley.
Readers make the journey to school along with this young boy who pretends to be an astronaut exploring in space. The papercut illustrations pull you in to be part of the trip. I appreciate Lam's encouragement for readers to use their own imagination as they see this child use his. A terrific family read to encourage younger readers to study the pictures and tell the story.
January 26, 2024
A cute book, portraying a little kid's imagination about being a spaceman....using unique illustrations, maybe similar to material patchwork glued together..... & it all works.....with no words! A 'using your imagination picture book'! I can just see a little kid's mind working this book....how fun!
I received a digital ARC from publisher Owlkids Books via NetGalley for review purposes, & these are my own opinions.
I received a digital ARC from publisher Owlkids Books via NetGalley for review purposes, & these are my own opinions.
October 27, 2023
A picture book without words BUT don't let that deter you.
Stories like these can really help shape a young reader's imagination by letting them choose the story line to coincide with the series of images.
Unique artwork that is detailed and gives a bit more depth than regular 2D drawings.
Overall, an adorable read.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book.
Stories like these can really help shape a young reader's imagination by letting them choose the story line to coincide with the series of images.
Unique artwork that is detailed and gives a bit more depth than regular 2D drawings.
Overall, an adorable read.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book.
March 15, 2024
Wordless text picture books are a wonderful option for engaging preschoolers and encouraging a more interactive experience between the reader and the listener. I just love Lam's artistry in presenting the story's action; lots of opportunities for use in a craft component to storytime. Just perfection!
March 27, 2024
A young explorer gears up for space travel in a wordless picture book with cut paper illustrations. Adventure ensues while the traveler encounters different obstacles and adversaries. As snow begins to fall, they find safety. The illustrations are very cool and the story is engaging -- filled with imagination and worthy of (lots of ) re-reading.
April 19, 2024
This is a wordless story with cleverly created images to inspire the reader to interpret their own adventure story. A child is dressed to go out into the snow, which is like another world to him. Imaginative play takes the child through an adventure on another planet with monsters and low gravity.
May 2, 2024
The creativity and imagination that is exhibited in this book is superb. This is a wordless picture book where you, as the reader, get to decide how to interpret the pictures. Just by looking at the title you have already made assumptions in your head... but all is not what it seems. Time to take One Giant Leap and read this book for an intriguing adventure.
December 8, 2023
What a fabulous wordless book about the incredible power of a child's imagination! The illustrations are wonderful. The characters are imaginative. I cannot say enough good things. I know my students are going to eat this one up!
Thanks to Netgalley and the Publishers for the ARC!
Thanks to Netgalley and the Publishers for the ARC!
January 13, 2024
One Giant Leap is a very cute book about a kid and their very vivid imagination. A day in the snow turns into an astronaut’s adventures on a distant planet. Very sweet little book.
Thanks for the e-arc to the author, publisher, and NetGalley.
Thanks for the e-arc to the author, publisher, and NetGalley.
May 17, 2024
A wordless gem telling a classic story of childhood imagination, wonder, and adventure.
Thao's art is AMAZING!
If not for living in Canada, I would have put this in the Caldecott contender stack.
Thao's art is AMAZING!
If not for living in Canada, I would have put this in the Caldecott contender stack.
June 3, 2024
A most magnificent picture book! A wordless adventure that’s read one way and then (surprise!)…you reach the end and immediately read it again with new insight.
Also, the paper craft art is truly out of this world.
Also, the paper craft art is truly out of this world.
June 29, 2024
Artwork was cool. Wordless story. I was bothered by possible bullying that isn't addressed well. Was it kids playing or was it bullying? You can't tell. What you do see through imagery is that the main character is sad and feels lonely after.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews